Communications

The telecom market in Iceland is characterised by one of the world’s highest penetrations of broadband, Internet and mobile phones. Broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants was the third-highest in the OECD in 2007, surpassed only by Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In 2007, Iceland had one of the highest mobile telephone penetration in the world, with 104 wireless subscribers per 100 inhabitants. In 2008, 92% of Icelandic households owned a computer and 72% of Icelandic households owned a laptop computer. The percentage of households with an ADSL, SDSL or other xDSL connection has increased steadily in recent years, to 94% in 2008. Iceland’s telecommunication infrastructure is both extensive and modern, with satellite earth stations, optical fibre cables, broadband networks, and an extensive cellular mobile phone system that reaches 98% of the population. There are three major telecommunication operators in the market. Three broadcasting companies operate a total of 11 radio channels and 10 television channels. In addition, a large number of foreign TV channels are widely received via satellite, cable or UHF relay.

Economy of Iceland,Central Bank of Iceland